Elected in 2019 and representing the ruling Servant of the People party, Venislavsky specified that martial law can be lifted once the imminent threat to the Ukrainian state is no longer present. According to the MP, a temporary ceasefire does not eliminate the threats that led to the establishment of martial law in the first place.
“This doesn't mean that Russia has withdrawn its troops from temporarily occupied territories or removed its weapons capable of striking Ukraine,” said the MP.
“Considering [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin’s mental state, I think we can expect any outcome. Therefore, without [security] guarantees leading to long-lasting peace, I don't believe martial law can be lifted.”
“However, I cannot predict the timeline at the moment. It depends on a range of circumstances, including negotiations and the terms reached by each side. By this, I mean Ukraine and Russia, with the involvement of Europe and the United States, because, as the president [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] stated today, Ukrainian authorities will not recognize any agreements without such involvement.”
In an interview with UK broadcaster ITV on Feb. 9, Zelenskyy stated that if martial law in Ukraine was suspended to hold elections before the end of the war, Ukraine would lose the bulk of its army, and Russia would most certainly take advantage of the situation.